Are there any tests required to apply to the school?
Prospective students will screened by the age-appropriate teacher. This allows us to assess a student’s knowledge base.
What if my child is behind or ahead of most of his / her potential classmates in a certain area?
This is why the initial screening is so important. Our teachers work hard to accurately develop a picture of your child as a whole. In the upper school, some classes like math are divided based on knowledge. In the lower school, our teachers will work one on one with your child to help bring them up to speed if they are behind, or challenge them to reach the next level if they are ahead.
Why do you have uniforms?
In 2010, the University of Houston published a study, “Dressed for Success: Do School Uniforms Improve Student Behavior, Attendance and Achievement?” which showed that students who wear uniforms have an improved rate of attendance, high academics, and good behavior. Other studies have showed increased graduation rates and lower suspension rates.
Besides, it makes getting ready in the morning a whole lot easier, it costs less than most back-to-school clothes shopping, and eliminates jealousy on the playground!
Do the students ever wear other clothes?
Throughout the year, the school has “Dress-down days” where students are able to wear regular clothing. But please note that uniforms don’t squash our students’ personality. Our students express themselves and stand out in their choices of shoes, stockings, socks, and hairstyles.
Can I have my child change into other clothing before leaving to attend non-school events?
Yes. We have many events both at the school and off campus that our students attend in which they need to change prior to leaving the school. Whether it is on-campus karate or off-campus dance, there are times that the line for the bathroom is long.
Why is there such a late dismissal time as compared to other schools?
Our school day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm. Our religion component adds an additional half hour to the school day, thus accounting for the later dismissal.
Can I pick up my child early to attend a non-school activity?
Yes, we do have students that are picked up prior to dismissal for activities or events outside the school community. Please make prior arrangements with your child’s teacher to limit disruption to the rest of the class.
What if we aren’t Catholic?
Well, first, welcome and thanks for considering us. It would probably make you a little more comfortable to know that 50% of our students come from non-Catholic households. We teach children of all faiths. Check out our Student Formation Tab for Other Faiths.
My child is new to the school, how can I be sure that they will feel comfortable?
Teachers and staff strive to make the transition to the new school as smooth as possible. Most of the time, the class welcomes the newest student with open arms. If you feel that there are any issues, contact the teacher. But it is not unheard of that a teacher lets you know who your child is becoming friends with, so that you can help foster that relationship, and even introduce you to their parents.
What is your discipline policy?
It is our expectation as a school is that students will strive to be virtuous. We want for them to ask of themselves about an action, not “Is it permitted?” but, “Is it just, or wise, or fair?” In other words, “Is it right?” We want students to relate to one another, to parents, and to faculty, in the spirit of agape, the Greek word the early Christians used to describe the love for each other towards which Christians are supposed to strive. In this way, each of us can have as our end the betterment of each person in the community.
Students learn self-discipline best when they know what is expected of them, and such expectations are clearly and consistently upheld, in practice and by example. As teachers, we do our best for our students when the expectations we set for them at school are in line with what parents insist upon at home. We ask that parents take careful note of the Code of Conduct, and that they are supportive at home of our efforts at school. The school is in a partnership with the parents of each child who attends All Saints Catholic Academy. At different times, each student, teacher, and parent will almost certainly have need to consult the four cardinal virtues (courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice) and the three theological ones (faith, hope, and agape).
Would my child be visiting the grade they would enter or their current grade?
During discussions at the meeting with the Head of School, it will be determined which situation best suits your child.
Where do most of the 8th graders continue on to high school?
Many of our 8th grade graduates choose to continue their Catholic school education by attending Rice Memorial High School, our closest Catholic high school. Some of our students will continue on at their local public high school and even some venture off to other private institutions or boarding schools. Ultimately, it is the student’s and their family’s choice as to where they will continue their journey making a decision based upon what fits their needs.
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